While the 30A area is most often associated with summertime, there’s something unique and wonderful about the Florida Gulf Coast at Christmastime. Skip the snow and opt for light-strewn palm trees and white sand beaches instead. You’ll find many festive events and activities when you visit 30A December because there’s no shortage of things to do and see like photos with Santa, holiday concert series and exclusive holiday meals and tastings. Are you ready to make your holidays jolly and bright? We’ve compiled the ultimate list of things to do in 30A for the holidays.
Check out the list of things to do during December along 30A. From exclusive Christmas dinners to holiday markets, Christmas in South Walton is lots of fun!
While the 30A area is most often associated with summertime, there’s something unique and wonderful about the Florida Gulf Coast at Christmastime. Skip the snow and opt for light-strewn palm trees and white sand beaches instead. You’ll find many festive events and activities when you visit 30A December because there’s no shortage of things to do and see like photos with Santa, holiday concert series and exclusive holiday meals and tastings. Are you ready to make your holidays jolly and bright? We’ve compiled the ultimate list of things to do in 30A for the holidays.
You can take your photos with Santa at a few different locations around the 30A and South Walton area.
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, North Beach Tortilla Co. is a taco and tequila bar with plenty of outdoor seating, a wraparound bar and a view of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Grown-ups can enjoy a margarita while the kids get their holiday snapshots taken. Santa will be visiting Tuesday, December 3 from 5:30-8pm and the pictures taken will be available on the restaurant’s website a few days later.
Located near the entrance to Sandestin, Grand Boulevard is one of our favorite spots to get into the holiday spirit. Not only are there beautiful lights to enjoy, there’s an array of uniquely decorated Christmas trees, decorated by the area’s nonprofits. Family-friendly activities like free arts and crafts are available as well as pictures with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Photos with Santa in Grand Park are every Saturday (November 30-December 21) from 2-4pm. Arrive early for the Grand Boulevard Farmers Market in Grand Park which runs from 9am-1pm for some local produce and goods. Browse the shops and indulge in delicious local dining. It’s the perfect way to spend a Florida winter day!
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park is a lovely waterfront park with a playground, concert stage and even a small rock climbing wall. Their annual A Downtown Holiday event on Saturday, December 7th from 12-7pm is fun for the whole family, complete with a tree lighting event at 5:30pm and live music, kids’ activities, local vendors and food. Get your extra special Christmas shopping done at some of the downtown boutiques while you’re there.
It’s no secret the food along 30A is exceptional and the holidays are the perfect time of the year to feast. From local holiday markets to exclusive Christmas menus, here are some of the things to look forward to.
Havana Beach Bar & Grill is located at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach. Their Christmas Dinner is $75 per adult and $35 per child (12 and under). It includes a special three-course menu and reservations are required. This award-winning restaurant is sure to impress and the meal one to remember.
Meet Santa in person for a very merry brunch at Fish Out of Water, a family-friendly restaurant located at WaterColor Inn. Enjoy panoramic Gulf views during brunch every Sunday (December 1-22) from 10am-2pm. They suggest making reservations in advance to secure your spot.
Havana Beach Bar & Grill is a fine dining restaurant located at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach. Get your picture taken with Santa and his helpers and fill your plate at the breakfast buffet on December 15th from 8-11am. The event is open to the public but reservations are required. Call the restaurant for more information on availability and pricing.
Grayton Beer Company is throwing their 4th annual Grayt Holiday Market on Saturday, December 7th from 10am-4pm. We love the laid back feel of the taproom inside the brewery and the 25-tap draft wall of small-batch brews but the event takes everything up a notch with festive craft beers, an appearance by Santa and local vendors, merchants and artists. The taproom is child and pet-friendly. In fact, you can bring along your dog and receive 10% off your entire tab!
Our newest 30A vacation rental property, Here Comes the Sun, sleeps 8-10 in a stunning 3 bedroom + a bunk room and 3.5 baths home. It overlooks a massive 12,000 square foot swimming pool and community greenspace. This dog-friendly home has an ideal location, right by Seacrest Beach in Panama City Beach, FL. To celebrate our new 30A vacation rental property, we’re going to take a look at 10 fun things to do in Panama City Beach.
30A is full of royal destinations perfect for a stunning beach wedding. Picturing an intimate affair just for two or prefer a special occasion, bursting with friends and family? Whether you have a simple ceremony or a fully inclusive, top-to-bottom wedding in mind, dreams become reality on the Gulf Coast. Here are our top tips to make your 30A beach wedding a sandy success.
Rosemary Beach is the ideal place for a perfect beach vacation. Quaint and picturesque, there’s a relaxed elegance to the Florida vacation rental homes here. Our 30A cottages put you right in the heart of this cozy area, footsteps away from the beach or a brief and breezy bike ride to nearby local restaurants and charming retail stores. If it’s your first time visiting Rosemary Beach, we’ve created a two-day itinerary to help you find where to go, things to do and what to eat while you’re there. Even if you’re familiar with Rosemary Beach, you may discover new spots to explore on our list.
Seaside, Florida is one of the most charming small towns in America. With picturesque architecture and beautiful weather, it’s a popular vacation destination for tourists from around the world. There are many reasons to love Seaside like delicious food, local restaurants and wonderful shops. We love exploring the area and learning more about its history. Here are some fun facts about Seaside you should know before your next (or first!) visit.
Located along the north western coastal stretch of Florida’s Panhandle, the seaside villages, towns and resort communities along scenic highway 30A are some of the state’s most charming places to visit. These 16 beach communities of South Walton county are linked by route 30A, running approximately 24 miles from Destin to Panama City, and each with its own unique Gulf Coast History.
It’s no easy feat listing the best beaches along 30A! Any beach you visit here will not fail to charm you with its unparalleled beauty, each unique in its own way. There are 16 beach communities along Scenic Highway 30A, and no matter where you’re staying, you’ll won’t have to drive far along the 18-mile meandering coastal two-lane highway, to experience some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.